3-[5-[1-(2 or 3-Halophenoxy)alkyl, alkynyl, alkenyl, or haloalkyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinones

ABSTRACT

The disclosed compounds, such as 3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone, are useful for preemergence and postemergence control of weeds, such as jimsonweed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to substituted 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinones, particularly to the 3-[5-[1-(2- or 3-chlorophenoxy alkyl, -alkynyl, -alkenyl, -or haloalkyl substituted)1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone compounds.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Imidazolidinones, as a class, are described in patents and chemical literature; none of which, however, teaches or discloses the novel herbicidal compounds described herein and their use to control the weeds described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein concerns compounds graphically represented by Formula I. ##STR1## wherein:

X is a chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine, positioned at the ortho (2) or meta (3) position, and;

R is an alkyl of up to four carbon atoms, an alkenyl of up to three carbon atoms, an alkynyl of up to three carbon atoms, or a haloalkyl selected from the group consisting of chloromethyl, bromomethyl, 2-chloroethyl and 2-bromoethyl; the intermediates graphically represented by Formulas III, IV and V. ##STR2## wherein:

X and R are defined as herein, as well as the process for making compounds of the described formulas. The compounds of Formula I are particularly useful for controlling weeds postemergence and preemergence and are selective to other weeds when applied preemergence at low rates of application. Particularly the compounds wherein X is chlorine and R is methyl or ethyl. For example, the compound where X is chlorine and R is methyl is useful for controlling teaweed, jimsonweed, yellow foxtail, crabgrass, johnsongrass, coffeeweed, velvetleaf, morningglory, wild oats and barnyardgrass at preemergence rates as low as five pounds per acre.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The novel agriculturally useful compounds described herein may be graphically represented by Formula I. ##STR3## wherein:

X is chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine located at the ortho (2) or meta (3) position and;

R is an alkyl of up to four carbon atoms, an alkenyl of up to three carbon atoms, an alkynyl of up to three carbon atoms, or a haloalkyl selected from the group consisting of chloromethyl, bromomethyl, 2-chloroethyl, and 3-bromoethyl.

Examples of compounds represented by Formula I are:

3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(3-bromophenoxy)-2-bromoethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(2-fluorophenoxy)-2-bromoethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(3-iodophenoxy)-3-chloropropyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)-3-bromopropyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

[5-[1-(3-bromophenoxy)2-propynyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(2-fluorophenoxy)-2-butynyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(3-iodophenoxy)-3-butynyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)-2-propenyl]-,,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[2-(3-bromophenoxy)-2-butenyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1](2-fluorophenoxy)-2-chloroethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[2-(3-iodophenoxy)-2-bromoethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazl-2-yl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)-3-chloropropyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(3-bromophenoxy)-3-bromopropyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(2-fluorophenoxy)-3-butenyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(3-iodophenoxy)-1-pentenyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)-1-(3-methylbutyl)]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(3-bromophenoxy)-2-(2-methylbutyl)]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(2,2-dimethylpropyl)]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(3-iodophenoxy)-1-butyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)-(2-methylpropyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

3-[5-[1-(3-bromophenoxy)propyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

Although all of the compounds described herein are useful for the purpose described herein, some compounds are more useful than others. Compounds in which R is an alkynyl, are of a general utility, while compounds in which R is an alkenyl, are of better utility. Compounds in which R is a haloalkyl described herein are of high utility and of these, the preferred compounds are those in which R is chloromethyl or bromomethyl. Compounds in which R is an alkyl described herein, are highly preferred and especially preferred are compounds in which the alkyl is methyl or propyl. Methyl is the most preferred alkyl. X is preferably chlorine or bromine and it is most preferred that X be chlorine. The following compounds are the most preferred: 3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone and 3-[5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.

SYNTHESIS OF THE COMPOUNDS

The synthesis of the compound proceeds according to the general reactions (1), (2), (3) and (4) shown below: ##STR4##

PREPARATION OF 5-SUBSTITUTED 2-AMINO-1,3,4-THIADIAZOLES

The proper alpha substituted carboxylic acid graphically represented by Formula II, wherein R and X are as described herein (typically 0.4-0.5 moles), an equimolar amount of thiosemicarbazide and 30 milliliters of dry dioxane are charged into a 100 milliliter reactor equipped wfth a thermometer, an efficient stirrer, pressure equilizer, addition funnel and a condenser-drying tube. The addition funnel is charged with approximately 10 percent excess of phosphorus oxychloride which is added drop-wise so as to maintain a reaction temperature of 85°-95° C. and reaction occurs as shown by reaction equation 1. The mixture is then heated to a reflux for about 1 hour, after which the solvent is flashed off using a vacuum such as a water aspirator. Water (50 milliliters) is added to the residue to give an emulsion which is then made basic with a 50 percent sodium hydroxide solution. In those instances that a solid product is obtained (graphically represented by Formula III, wherein X and R are as described herein) the product is isolated by filtration, and recrystallized when necessary. In other cases, the reaction mixture is extracted with ether, the ether layer is separated from the heavier layers, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under vacuum to give the crude product represented as a viscous oil.

PREPARATION OF THE ISOCYANATE DIMERS

Five to 10 grams of the appropriate 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole (graphically represented by Formula III) is added to a solution of phosgene in ethylacetate, (or other suitable solvent) prepared by saturating 50-100 milliliters of solvent with phosgene at room temperature then adding another 50-100 milliliters of solvent. The mixture is allowed to stir overnight at room temperature react as shown by reaction equation 2 and then purged with nitrogen or argon to remove the unreacted phosgene. In those cases where a solid was obtained the product (graphically represented by Formula IV) which is an isocyanate dimer of the appropriate substituted 1,3,4-thiadiazol, was isolated by filtration and dried. In cases where no solid product is evident, the reaction mixture may be topped under vacuum to give the product as a viscous oil or glass.

PREPARATION OF ACETAL UREAS

The appropriate isocyanate dimer of Formula IV and an equivalent amount of methylaminoacetaldehyde dimethylacetal were heated to reflux (5-15 minutes) in an inert solvent such as ether, benzene or toluene and the reaction proceeded as shown by reaction equation 3 so as to form the product graphically represented by Formula V. Some products may be produced as crystals directly from solution, but others may be induced by addition of hexane. The product represented by graphic Formula V may be purified such as by washing with ether or hexane or recrystallized from hexane/benzene or from ether/benzene, or from ether/chloroform/benzene solutions. Those products or compounds that are represented by Formula V obtained as oils need not be purified.

PREPARATION OF THE COMPOUNDS OF FORMULA I

The appropriate acetal urea of Formula V (approximately 3 to 4 grams) is added to 150-200 milliliters of water containing 1.5-2 milliliters of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The mixture is stirred vigorously and heated to reflux, and reaction proceeds as shown by reaction equation 4. The hydrolysis is monitored by thin layer chromatography (alumina-ethyl acetate) until complete, and the product containing a compound of Formula I forms. The product, in some cases, may be crystallized directly from the reaction mixture upon cooling. In other cases, the compounds of Formula I are extracted with chloroform and isolated by stripping the solvent under vacuum. Those compounds which solidify upon concentration are further purified. In some cases, the compounds may be used directly as obtained. In other cases, crystallization is induced by seeding an ether solution with a related compound, and the crystals formed may be further purified.

EXAMPLE I

The following example illustrates the synthesis of the compounds described herein.

Synthesis of 3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone a. Formation of 5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol

A 100 milliliter, 3-neck flask adapted with a Claisen adaptor, paddle stirrer, thermometer, an addition funnel and condenser was charged with 10.0 grams (0.050 mole) of 2-(2-chlorophenoxy)propanoic acid, (4.6 grams, 0.050 mole) of thiosemicarbazide and 30 milliliters of dioxane. The slurry was heated to 90° C. and the addition funnel was charged with phosphorous oxychloride (POCl₃). The POCl₃ (8.4 grams, 0.055 mole) was slowly added (for 25 minutes) while maintaining the temperature within 85°-90° C. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 75 minutes and stood at ambient temperature for 16 hours. The flask was evacuated by using a water aspirator to remove volatiles (HCl, POCl₃ and some dioxane) at 60° C. and then the solution was cooled. Fifty (50) milliliters of water was added and 50 percent solution of NaOH was also added until the pH of the solution was 10; a solid precipitate formed. The solid precipitate was filtered off, washed with water, then dried in a vacuum oven at 80° C. to 9.8 grams of white crystals of 5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole. (Melting point 160°-164° C.).

b. Formation of 5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl isocyanate dimer

A 300 milliliter, 3-neck flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, thermometer, dry ice condenser/drying tube and inlet from a phosgene (COCl₂) tank via a calibrated rotometer was charged with 50 milliliters of ethyl acetate saturated with phosgene at 20° C. (approximately 0.5 mole of phosgene). An additional 100 milliliters of ethylacetate was added; 9.8 grams of 5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole (prepared above) at a temperature from 0° C. to room temperature was added. The resulting solution was stirred for 17 hours with formation of an emulsion and then the flask was purged with nitrogen until no COCl₂ was detected. The solution was filtered, and topped at 70° C. on a roto-vac to form 9.9 grams of a gooey yellow oil of 5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl isocyanate dimer.

c. Formation of 3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-1-methyl-1-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)urea

Methylaminoacetaldehyde dimethylacetal (4.2 grams, 0.035 mole) was slowly added at ambient temperature to a 30 milliliter benzene solution containing 9.9 grams (0.035 mole) of the 5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl isocyanate dimer (prepared above). The resulting solution was refluxed for 20 minutes, cooled and topped on a roto-vac at 70° C. to 13.4 grams of an orange oil which partially crystallized upon standing. The entire sample was recrystallized from a minimum amount of ethylacetate/hexane solution. The crystals were filtered off and dried in a vacuum oven at 80° C. to give 10.2 grams of white crystals of 3-[5-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-1-methyl-1-1(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)urea. (Melting point 101°-104° C.).

NMR (DMF.d₇): 1.80δ (doublet, 3H) 3.16δ (sing, 3H) 3.39δ (sing, 6H) 3.56δ (doublet, 2H) 4.58δ (triplet, 1H) 5.95δ (quartet, 1H) 7.28δ (multiplet, 4H)

d. Synthesis of 3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-1-methyl-4-hydroxy-2-imidazolidinone

A solution containing 3.0 grams of the 3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy) ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-1-methyl-1-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)urea (prepared above) in 100 milliliters of water and 1 milliliter of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) was refluxed for 25 minutes, cooled, and aqueous phase was decanted off. The gooey solid remaining was dissolved in benzene, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered and topped on a roto-vac at 70° C. to yield 2.3 grams of a viscous oil. The viscous oil was dissolved in ethylacetate, and chromatographed on neutral alumina with ethylacetate, and then methanol. The desired fractions (monitored by thin layer chromatography) were collected and topped on a roto-vac at 70° C. to 1.5 grams of a viscous oil, which partially crystallized on standing. It was refluxed with diethylether and the crystals were filtered off, and air-dried to 1.2 grams of white crystals of 3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-1-methyl-4-hydroxy-2-imidazolidinone. Melting point 122°-124° C.

IR spectra (mull) broad OH band at 3200⁻¹ cm. C═O band at 1725 cm⁻¹

EXAMPLE II Synthesis of 3-[5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone a. Formation of 5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole

The procedure of Example I a. was followed using 2-(3-chlorophenoxy)propanoic acid to obtain 8.8 grams of white crystals of 5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole. Melting point 136°-138° C.

b. Formation of 5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl isocyanate dimer

Using 8.8 grams of the above prepared 5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole and following the procedure of Example I b., 10.1 grams of a viscous yellow oil of 5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl isocyanate dimer was obtained.

c. Formation of 3-[5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-1-methyl-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)urea

4.9 grams (0.036 mole) of methylaminoacetaldehyde dimethylacetal was slowly added to a warm 30 milliliter benzene solution containing 10.2 grams (0.036 mole) of the 5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl isocyanate dimer (prepared above). The resulting solution was refluxed for 15 minutes, cooled, topped on a roto-vac at 70° C. to 14.5 grams of a pink solid residue which was recrystallized from a minimum amount of ethylacetate/hexane solution. The fluffy precipitate was filtered off, and dried in a vacuum oven at 80° C. to 10.3 grams of fluffy white crystals of 3-[5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-1-methyl-1-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)urea. Melting point 127°-130° C.

d. Synthesis of 3-[5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-1-methyl-4-hydroxy-2-imidazolinone

A solution containing 3.0 grams of the 3-[5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-1-methyl-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)urea (prepared above) in 100 milliliters of water and 1 milliliter of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) was refluxed for 40 minutes, and cooled. The solid remaining was filtered off, washed with water and air dried at 80° C. in a vacuum oven to 2.5 grams of a white solid, which was dissolved by warming 15 milliliters of benzene and then diethylene ether was added and the solution upon cooling, formed crystals which were removed by suction filtration and dried in a vacuum oven at 80° C. to give 1.3 grams of white crystals of 3-[5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-1-methyl-4-hydroxy-2-imidazolidinone. Melting point 140°-142° C.

IR spectra (mull):

OH at 3350 cm⁻¹

C═O band at 1705 cm⁻¹

INTERMEDIATE COMPOUNDS

Although the other compounds described herein and represented graphically by Formulas III and IV possess no herbicidal properties, and compods of Formula V possess herbicidal properties, nevertheless, the compounds represented by the Formulas III, IV, and V are very useful because they are intermediates for the synthesis of the novel compounds represented by Formula I.

APPLICATIONS OF THE COMPOSITIONS AGAINST WEEDS

The novel active compounds of Formula I are particularly valuable for weed control because they are toxic to many species and groups of weeds and are relatively nontoxic to many beneficial plants. The exact amount of one or more of the compounds required depends upon a variety of factors, including the hardiness of the particular weed species, the weather, the type of soil, the method of application, the kind of beneficial plants in the same area and the like. Thus, while the application of up to only about 1 to 2 ounces of active compound per acre may be sufficient for good control of a light infestation of weeds growing under adverse conditions, the application of 5 pounds or 10 pounds or more of an active compound of Formula I per acre may be required for good control of a dense infestation of hardy perennial weeds growing under favorable conditions.

a. Examples of Weeds Which May Be Controlled By the Compounds Described Herein

Weeds are undesirable plants growing where they are not wanted, having no economic value and interfering with the production of cultivated crops, with the growing of ornamental plants, or with the welfare of livestock. Weeds may be classified as broadleaf or grassy weeds, a classification which includes many types of known weeds. It is believed that the compositions set forth herein, when applied in a herbicidally effective amount may control field pennycress, ryegrass, goosegrass, chickweed, purslane, smartweed, knotweed, wild buckwheat, kochia, medic, corn cockle, ragweed, sow-thistle, croton, cuphea, dodder, fumitory, groundsel, hempnettle, knawel, spurge, spurry emex, jungle rice, pondweed, dogfennel, carpetweed, bedstraw, ducksalad, naiad, chestgrass, fall panicum, witchgrass, switchgrass, watergrass, teaweed, wild turnip and sprangletop; biennials such as wild carrot, matricaria, wild barley, campion, chamomile, burdock, mullein, roundleaved mallow, bull thistle, houndstongue, moth mullein and purple star thistle; or perennials such as white cockle, perennial ryegrass, quackgrass, Canada thistle, hedge bindweed, Bermuda grass, sheep sorrel, curly dock, nutgrass, field chickweed, dandelion, campanula, field bindweed, Russian knapweed, mesquite, toadflax, yarrow, aster, gromwell, horsetail, ironweed, sesbania, bulrush, cat-tail, winter-cress, horsenettle, nutsedge, milkweed and sicklepod.

However, the important weeds of the genera against which the compounds of the invention particularly where R is methyl are most effective preemergence at 10 pounds per acre (11.1 kilograms per hectare) are: Sida, Datura, Setaria, Digitaria, Sorghum Sesbania, Abutilon, Ipomoea, Avena, and Echinochola. Weed species against which the compounds of the invention are most effective preemergence are: Sida spinosa (L) (teaweed), Datura stramonium (jimsonweed), Setaria glauca (L) (yellow foxtail), Sorghum halepense (johnsongrass), Digitaria sanguinalis (L) (crabgrass, large), Sesbania spp. (coffeeweed), Ipomoea purpurea (L) Roth (tall morningglory), Abutilon theophrasti (L) (velvetleaf), Avena fatua (wild oats) and Echinochola crusgalli (barnyardgrass).

At preemergence rates as low as 5 pounds per acre (5.5 kilograms per hectare), the compounds particularly where R is methyl are effective against teaweed, jimsonweed, yellow foxtail, crabgrass, johnsongrass, coffeeweed, velvetleaf, wild oats and barnyardgrass.

b. Description of the Method of Controlling Weeds

As used herein and in the Claims, the method of controlling the weeds comprises contacting the weeds with a herbicidally effective amount of a compound represented by the graphid formulas described herein. The term "contacting the weeds" refers to any method of contacting the weeds, both preemergence (before the weeds appear) and/or postemergence (after the weeds appear), such as applying granules of the compound to the soil prior to emergence, or spraying a solution of the compound or compounds described by the general formula, or any other method known in the art by which the weeds are contacted either before they emerge or after they emerge, or both before and after they emerge, with one or more of the compounds represented by general Formula I described herein. The phrase "herbicidally effective amount" refers to that amount required under the environmental conditions in order to effectively control, that is, by which the weeds are injured so as not to be able to recover from the application of the compound, or to be killed by the compound.

c. General Application of the Compounds

For practical use as herbicides, the compounds of this invention are generally incorporated into herbicidal formulations which comprise an inert carrier and a herbicidally toxic amount of a compound mentioned herein. Such herbicidal formulations enable the active compound to be applied conveniently to the site of the weed infestation in any desired quantity. These formulations can be solids such as dusts, granules, or wettable powders or they can be liquids such as solutions, aerosols or emsulsifiable concentrates.

For example, dusts can be prepared by grinding and blending the active compound with a solid inert carrier such as the talcs, clays, silicas, prophyllite and the like. Granular formulations can be prepared by impregnating the compound, usually dissolved in a suitable solvent, onto and into granulated carriers such as the attapulgites or the vermiculites, usually of a particle size range of from about 0.3 to 1.5 milliliters. Wettable powders, which can be dispersed in water or oil to any desired concentration of the active compound, can be prepared by incorporating wetting agents into concentrated dust composition.

In some cases the active compounds are sufficiently soluable in common organic solvents such as kerosene or xylene so that they can be used directly as solutions in these solvents. Frequently, solutions of herbicides can be dispersed under superatmospheric pressure as aerosols. However, preferred liquid herbicidal formulations are emulsifiable concentrates, which comprise an active compound according to this invention and as the inert carrier, a solvent and an emulsifier. Such emulsifiable concentrates can be extended with water and/or oil to any desired concentration of active compod for application as sprays to the site of the weed infestation. The emulsifiers most commonly used in these concentrates are nonionic or mixtures of nonionic with anionic surface-active agents. With the use of some emulsifier systems an inverted emulsion (water in oil) can be prepared for direct application to weed infestations.

A typical herbicidal formulation according to this invention is illustrated by the following example, in which the quantities are in parts by weight.

EXAMPLE III

    ______________________________________                                         PREPARATION OF A DUST                                                          ______________________________________                                         Product of Example I     10                                                    Powdered Talc            90                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The above ingredients are mixed in a mechanical grinder-blender and are ground until a homogeneous, freeflowing dust of the desired particle size is obtained. This dust is suitable for direct application to the site of the weed infestation.

d. Mixtures of Compounds Alone or in Mixtures

Although all of the compounds described herein and represented by the general formula described herein are useful as herbicides, some of these are preferred and are better for applications against weeds. In general, all of the compounds described herein may be used either alone or together in mixtures. When used in mixtures, the amount or ratio of one compound to another may vary from 0.01 to 100.

e. Manner of Application of the Compounds of This Invention

The compounds of this invention can be applied as herbicides in any manner recognized by the art. One method for the control of weeds comprises contacting the locus of said weeds with a herbicidal formulation comprised of an inert carrier and one or more of the compounds of this invention as an essential active ingredient, in a quantity which is herbicidally toxic to said weeds. The concentration of the new compounds of this invention in the herbicidal formulations will vary greatly with the type of formulations will comprise from about 0.95 to about 95 percent by weight of the active compounds of this invention. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the herbicidal formulations can also comprise other pesticides, such as insecticides, nematocides, fungicides and the like; stabilizers, spreaders, deactivators, adhesives, stickers, fertilizers, activators, synergists and the like.

The compounds of the present invention are also useful when combined with other herbicides and/or defoliants, desiccants, growth inhibitors and the like in the herbicidal formulations heretofore described. These other materials can comprise from about 5 percent to about 95 percent of the active ingredients in the herbicidal compositions. Use of combinations of the present invention provides herbicidal formulations which are more effective in controlling weeds and often provide results unattainable with separate formulations of the individual herbicides.

f. Examples of Other Pestidides and Herbicides for Combinations

The other herbicides, defoliants, desiccants and plant growth inhibitors, with which the compounds of this invention can be used in the herbicidal formulations to control weeds, can include: chlorophenoxy herbicides such as: 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, MCPA, MCPB, 4-(2,4DB), 2,4-DEB, 4-CPB, 4-CPA, 4-CPP, 2,4,5-TB, 2,4,5-TES, 3,4-DA, silvex and the like; carbamate herbicides such as IPC, CIPC, swep, barban, BCPC, CEPC, CPPC and the like; thiocarbamate and dithiocarbamate herbicides such as: CDEC, metam sodium, EPTC, diallate, PEBC, perbulate, vernolate and the like; substituted urea herbicides such as: norea, siduron, dichloroal urea, chloroxuron, cycluron, funuron, monuron, monuron TCA, diuron, linuron, monolinuron, neburon, buturon, trimeturon, and the like; symmetrical triazine herbicides such as: simazine, chlorazine, atraone, desmetryne, norazine, ipazine, prometryn, atrazine, trietazine, simetone, prometone, propazine, ametryne, and the like; chloroacetamide herbicides such as: alpha-chloro-N,N-dimethylacetamide, CDEA, CDAA, alpha-chloro-N-isopropylacetamide, 2-chloro-N-isopropyhlacetanilide, 4-(chloroacetyl)morpholine, 1-(chloroacetyl)piperidine, and the like; chlorinated aliphatic acid herbicides such as: TCA, dalapon, 2,3-dichloropropionic acid, 2,2,TPA, and the like; chlorinated benzoic acid and phenylacetic acid herbicides such as: 2,3,6-TBA, 2,3,5,6-TBA, dicamba, tricamba, amiben, fenac, PBA, 2-methoxy-3,5-dichlorophenylacetfc acid, 3-methoxy-2,6-dichlorophenylacetic acid, 2-methoxy-3,5,6-trichlorophenylacetic acid, 2,5-dichloro-3-nitrobenzoic acid, dual, metribuzin and the like; and such compounds as aminotriazole, maleic hydrazide, phenyl mercuric acetate, endothall, biuret, technical chlordane, dimethyl 2,3,5,6-tetrachloroterephthalate, diquat, erbon, erbon, DNC, DNBP, dichlobenil, DPA, diphenamid, dipropalin, trifluralin, solan, dicryl, merphos, DMPA, DMSA, MSMA, potassium azide, acrolein, benefit, bensulfide, AMS, bromacil, 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)4-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazolidine-3,5-dione, bromoxynil, cacodylic acid, CMA, CPMF, cypromid, DCB, DCPA, dichlone, diphenatril, DMTT, DNAP, EXD, ioxynil, isocil, potassium cyanate, MAA, MAMA, MCPES, MCPP, MH, molinate, NPA, paraquat, PCP, picloram, DPA, PCA, pryichlor, sesone, terbacil, terbutol, TCBA, LASSO, planavin, sodium tetraborate, calcium cyanamide, DEF, ethyl xanthogen disulfide, sindone, sindone B, propanil and the like. Such herbicides can also be used with the compositions of this invention in the form of their salts, esters, amides and other derivatives whenever applicable to the particular parent compounds.

g. Examples of Herbicidal Control

The following examples illustrate the method of controlling the weeds described herein. These examples were conducted under standard laboratory conditions, using standard laboratory procedures.

EXAMPLE IV

When the compound of 3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone (Example I) was applied preemergence at 10 pounds per acre to the weed species Sida spinosa (teaweed), Sesbania spp. (coffeeweed), Echinochola crusgalli (L) (barnyardgrass), Avena fatua (L) (wild oats), Ipomoea purpurea (L) Roth (morningglory, tall), Sorghum halepense (L) (johnsongrass), Digitaria sanguinalis (L) (crabgrass), Setaria glauca (L) (yellow foxtail) and Datura stramonium (L) (johnsongrass) at the end of 21 days, many of the weeds were so severely injured that they could not recover and others were killed.

EXAMPLE V

When the compound of 3-[5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone (Example II) was applied under the same conditions preemergence at 10 pounds per acre to the weed species of Example IV, at the end of 21 days many of the weeds were so severely injured that they could not recover and others were killed.

EXAMPLE VI

When the compound [5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxymethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone, which was prepared in a manner similar to that of the compound of Example I was applied to the same weed species under the same conditions as in Example IV, all of the weed species were growing.

While the invention has been described with reference to the specific details of certain illustrative embodiments, it is not intended that it shall be limited thereby except so far as such details appear in the accompanying claims. 

I claim:
 1. a compound graphically represented by Formula I: ##STR5## wherein: X is chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine, positioned at the ortho (2) or meta (3) position, and R is an alkyl of up to four carbon atoms, an alkenyl of up to three carbon atoms, an alkynyl of up to three carbon atoms, or a haloalkyl selected from the group consisting of chloromethyl, bromomethyl, 2-chloroethyl and 2-bromoethyl.
 2. The compound as recited in claim 1 wherein R is an alkynyl of up to three carbon atoms.
 3. The compound as recited in claim 1 wherein R is an alkenyl of up to three carbon atoms.
 4. The compound as recited in claim 1 wherein R is a haloalkyl selected from the group consisting of chloromethyl, bromoethyl, 2-chloroethyl and 2-bromoethyl.
 5. The compound as recited in claim 1 wherein R is a haloalkyl selected from the group chloromethyl and bromomethyl.
 6. The compound as recited in claim 1 wherein R is an alkyl of up to four carbon atoms.
 7. The compound as recited in claim 1 wherein R is an alkyl selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl.
 8. The compound as recited in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein X is bromine.
 9. The compound as recited in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein X is chlorine.
 10. 3-[5-[1-(2-chlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone.
 11. 3-[5-[1-(3-chlorophenoxy)ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone. 